Hobbies And Interests
Singing Games
Most singing games are also dancing games, getting the child up and moving while stimulating his imagination. These games often include hand claps, social interaction (like holding hands) and coordinated movements set to specific lines sung. For instance, the tune "Frere Jacques" is sung. During the first line, children and their partners join hands and take eight steps. On the second sung line, children point at their partners with one hand and then the other. The third line is sung while hands are joined, jiving back and forth. On the fourth line, one child claps twice to the beat followed by the other child clapping. Many singing games follow similar stimulative patterns.
Rhythm Games
Rhythm games, like singing games, usually involve bodily movement to get the child involved. Once children understand rhythm, understanding music in general becomes easier. An example of a rhythm game is called "One Half Claps, One Half Says." The class is separated in half and one half of the class claps out a rhythm the teacher has on the note card. The other half of the class, without seeing the note card, has to speak the rhythm using the words "ta" (for longer notes) and "tee" (for shorter notes). This game may also be done with one child where the teacher (or parent) does the clapping and the child does the speaking. Even finding the beat to a song can be considered a decent rhythm game for elementary kids.
Music Theory/Information Games
Music theory is the understanding of music notation. A perfect example of a music theory song (or game) would be "Do (A Deer)" from the musical "The Sound of Music." This song points out the musical scale using clever wording that is difficult to forget. This song may be turned into a game by employing hand and body motions to the wording. Not all games talk about notation and theory, though. Music Tech Teacher.com has a game that links composers to pieces they wrote. Children can guess the composer after listening to a sound byte of their composition.
Online Music Games
Technology is becoming more and more integral in school systems and at home. Many websites create interactive games to further music knowledge. In one game (see "References"), the child sees two alligators getting ready for bedtime (they are brushing their teeth). Each alligator creates a musical note when clicked on. The bathtub's note is supposed to match up with the alligator of the same note. By dragging the right alligator to the bath, the child learns how to discriminate between two different notes. Each game builds on the next, aiding the child in learning musical intervals and distinguishing melodies.